Convertible furniture.



W. H. THOMMEN.

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE. APPLICATION FILED 050.2. 1914.

1,144,397. Patented June 29, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTC-LITHOH WASHINGTON, D. Cv

W. H. THOMMEN.

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE,

APPLICATION FILED 050.2,1914.

7H5 NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

Lldd tll NTTE TAT% PATENT FFTE WILLIAM H. THOMIVIEN, 01? PORT WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO WISCONSIN CHAIR COMPANY, OF PORT WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN.

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2%}, 1915.

Application filed December 2, 1914. Serial N0. 875,171.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. THOM- MEN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Port Washington, in the county of Ozaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Convertible Furniture; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eXact description thereof.

My invention refers to convertible furniture and has for its object to provide a simple, economical and compact combination cabinet and table, or desk, the construction and arrangement being such that all of the material parts are in permanent hinge connection adapted to fold and unfold to convert the device respectively into a compact cabinet or normal size table with a cabinet base, under which conditions a capping tray employed in connection with the cabinet feature is removed.

WVith the above objects in View the invention consists in certain details of construction and combination of mechanical elements as set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying illustrations and subsequently claimed.

.In the drawings Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a cabinet embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2, a sectional plan view of the same as indicatedby line 22 of Fig. 4 with parts shifted to intermediate positions preparatory to con version of the cabinet into a table; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the cabinet showing the same converted into a table; Fig. 4,a rear view of the cabinet with parts swung outwardly to more clearly illustrate certain details of construction, and Fig. 5, a detailed fragmentary cross-section, as indicated by line 55 of Fig. 4:.

Referring by characters to the drawings, 1, 1, represent semi-skeleton side frames, front and rear posts 1, 1, of which frames form cabinet legs. The upper portion of the side frame are, as shown, provided with panels forming the sides of a closed compartment 2. This compartment may be subdivided into chambers having doors 3, 3, as shown, the same being in hinge connection with the front posts 1 and an upper sliding drawer 4:. The base of the side frames 1, 1, as shown, may be connected by a shelf 5 for the reception of visible articles, the said shelf also serving to add strength to the construction. The cabinet is provided with a solid top 7 and back wall 8 attached to the rear posts 1 of the side frames. The said posts 1 project beyond the back wall 8, as best shown in Fig. 2, to form a leafreceiving cavity 8, the upper edge of the back wall being flush with the corresponding rear edge of the cabinet top 7. The top 7 is arranged to receive a removable capping rack or tray 10 which is held in position by dowel pins that engage sockets 7 formed in said cabinet top. This tray, as well as the cabinet, may be designed with compartments, (not shown) or in various ways to suit individual taste. The back Wall 11 of the tray is set inward relative to its side arms 12 to form a flush continuation of the leaf-receiving cavity 8, the said arms and back being fitted with a horizontally disposed shelf or finishing rail 11. Thus, when the tray is in place, its back portion forms a continuation of the table leaf receiving cavity that is bound by the rearwardly projecting rail at the top and the post 1 and rear edges of the arms 12.

The rear edges of the side frame posts 1" have hingedly secured thereto companion horizontally foldable skeleton leg-supporting frames A, B, respectively. These frames comprise vertically disposed parallel posts 13 connected by upper and lower cross-bars 13, 13" respectively, the lower ends of said posts forming supporting legs. The upper cross-bar 13 of the leaf-supporting frame A has hinged thereto a vertically foldable master table leaf C, the hinge connection of which leaf is positioned inward from one edge thereof, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, whereby said leaf will lap over the cross-rail 13 when it is swung to its normal spread position. This leaf 0 forms one member of a two part table top and the companion leaf D is in flush hinge connection with the innor edge of the master leaf and, for convenience and economy in manufacture each leaf is preferably built up, as shown, having a frame element for the support of solid panels that are finished upon their exposed surfaces. Hence, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4:, when the table leaves are not in use, the master leaf is first folded downwardly with its lower edge suspended above the floor line and the companion leaf D is foldporting frame A and thereafter the com panion leaf-supporting frame B is swung backwardly to a positlon parallellng the cablnet back wall 8, in which pos1t1on the free edges of the aforesaid frames A, B,

articulate and are secured by suitable hook and eye fasteners.

lhe master leaf C is swung upwardly prior to positioning the leaf-supporting frame B and thereafter the dowel connection 1%, 14, is effected between the master leaf and frame B, whereby the leaf-supporting frames are tied together and, to complete the operation, the auxiliary leaf D is swung downward to a horizontal position of rest upon the cabinet top 7, it being understood that, prior to assemblage of the table, the tray element is lifted from its seat with its contents.

It is apparent that, while I have shown and described the leaf-supporting frames A, B, as in skeleton form they may be suitably paneled or inclosed by some fabric, if desired. It is also apparent that I may, in some instances, dispense with the tray, as shown, and substitute any ornamental removable device therefor having a solid back, which is utilized for the purpose of completing the leaf-receiving cavity.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that the article of furniture herein described is both useful, ornamental and economical in construction and that its foldable elements render it such as to be de sirable in apartments wherein floor space is a material factor, while, at the same time the article of furniture so designed will meet with the approval of those requiring utility combined with refinement.

I claim:

1. A convertible article of furniture comprising a cabinet having side frames extending rearwardly of its back to form a leafreceiving cavity, the top of the cabinet being flush with said back, leaf-supporting frames in hinged swinging union with the rear edges of the cabinet side frames, a master table leaf in vertical swinging union with the upper portion of one of the leaf-supporting frames, a leaf in hinge connection with the inner lunged edge of the master leaf arranged to swing at a right angle to the swinging movement of said master leaf, whereby the main leaf, when spread, is sustained by its connected. leaf-supporting frame and the auxiliary leaf when spread is supported upon the top of the cabinet.

2. A convertible article of furniture comprising a cabinet having integral side frames, a back wall and top, leaf-supporting frames in hinge connection with the rear edges of the cabinet side frames arranged to unfold backwardly, the leaf supporting frames being provided with upper cross-connections upon the same plane as the top of the cabinet, a master leaf in hinge connection with the top edge of one of the leaf-supporting frame cross-connections adapted to swing downwardly from a horizontal position, and 'a second leaf section in hinge connection with the inner edge of the first mentioned leaf arranged to swing at a right angle to swing of said first mentioned leaf, whereby it may be folded thereon or spread to a horizontal position for engaging support with the top of the cabinet.

3. A convertible article of furniture com prising a cabinet having side frames, a top and a rear wall, leaf-supporting frames in hinge connection with the rear corners of the cabinet, a table leaf in hinge connection with one of the frames, means for securing said leaf to the opposite leaf-supporting frame, and a second leaf in hinge connection with the inner edge of the first mentioned leaf.

4-. A convertible article of furniture comprising a cabinet having a top, side frames and rear wall, a portable tray fitted to the top of the cabinet, leaf-supporting frames in hinge connection with the rear corner edges of the cabinet sideframes, the same being of a combined width equal to the width of the cabinet, a master table leaf in hinge connection with the top edge of one of the leaf frames, means for securing the free edge of said leaf to the. top edge of the opposite leaf-supporting frame, and an auxiliary leaf in hinge connection with the inner edge of the first mentioned leaf.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Port VVashington, in the county of Ozaukee and State of Wisconsin, in the presence of two wit- WILLIAM H. THOMMEN. Witnesses:

IDA PRovINsKI, EMMA KRATZER.

' nesses.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

